Irish Pubs & Folklore 6 Nights

Included in your price:

• Free calls to your personal Ireland vacation specialist
• 6 nights accommodation on a B&B basis 
• Road map of Ireland
• Discounted admission to attractions throughout Ireland

Car Rental:

Rental of an economy-size car. Included with your car are all compulsory insurances - Collision Damage Waiver insurance (CDW with an excess/deductible), theft protection insurance, location fee of €30, Road fund tax, sales tax at 13.5%, unlimited free mileage, third party liability insurance, 24-hour peace of mind breakdown cover.

Occupancy:

Prices are per person based on 2 persons in each room with a full Irish breakfast and taxes included. A single supplement will apply to rooms and car rental in the case of single occupancy.

Currency:

Please note that we charge in Euros (€). Prices in other currencies are for indication only and are subject to fluctuation.

Accommodation & Car

Day 1: Dublin to Kilkenny

Upon collection of your rental car, your Irish Tourism itinerary will direct you as far as Kilkenny where your journey begins. Right from the start, Kilkenny, often called “Irelands medieval capital”, has a varied collection of pubs for you to enjoy, some are calm, tranquil sanctuaries to engage in pleasant conversations while others are bustling hot spots well known for late-night sessions. On route to Kilkenny from Dublin, there are several spots we recommend you stop. The National Stud & Japanese Gardens, for instance, has been a stop for many the horse enthusiast since the early 1900s. Here you will find a museum detailing the history of the horse in Ireland, the stud farm itself where racehorses are conceived, born and raised and the spectacular Japanese Gardens, regarded by many the seasoned traveler as the finest of their kind in Europe. Characterized by beautifully renovated old buildings, Kilkenny City is small and compact enough to explore on foot, yet full of interesting and character-filled sites to see. You can visit Kilkenny Castle, a 12th-century castle renovated in Victorian times or Saint Canice's Cathedral with its neighbouring Round Tower which is the oldest standing structure in Kilkenny. The tower is open to visitors and may be climbed by those wishing to cast an eye on Kilkenny’s interesting scenery and architecture from above.

Day 2: Kilkenny to County Kerry

Your route today will take you from Kilkenny to Killarney in County Kerry. Killarney is well known as the gateway to the Ring of Kerry and its contemporary pub scene, live shows, and concerts. Its many attractive experiences make the town a preferred overnight stop for many international and Irish tourists alike. On your tour route, you will have the opportunity to visit the stunning Rock of Cashel, an impressive grouping of medieval structures set upon an outcrop of limestone in the Vale County of Tipperary. It has long been said that Saint Patrick supposedly prayed on the rock and converted local high kings to Christianity. Cahir Castle, one of Ireland’s best-preserved castles can also be easily found in this area. For those who wish to travel the even more scenic but slightly longer route to Killarney, Blarney Castle can be visited. The castle was built almost six hundred years ago by a great Irish chieftain by the name of Cormac MacCarthy. Since then the castle and its ‘stone of eloquence’ have been attracting countless curious visitors each and every year. Legend has it that if you kiss the stone you will never again be lost for words and have as the Irish say, ‘the gift of the gab’. Upon your arrival in Killarney, there are many walks and trails for you to enjoy whereupon you can see the best the Irish countryside has to offer, including a two-hour tour around Killarney town itself. You will also have the opportunity to visit Ross Castle which sits gracefully on the shores of Killarney’s lower lake, Killarney national park and the Gap of Dunloe. In the evenings the town’s pub scene comes to life. To take a break from your adventures outdoors you can experience the wide variety of traditional music and lively contemporary pubs the famous town has to offer.

Day 3: While in Killarney

Killarney is home to arguably the most stunning driving route in the south of Ireland, the Ring of Kerry. This winding journey takes you through breathtaking mountain and coastal scenery combined with the culture-filled, colorful villages and towns that are dotted around the Iveragh peninsula. While in the area some popular stops include: Kenmare which is well known for its many traditional pubs and restaurants, Waterville which in accordance with its title is impressively positioned between the rough Atlantic Ocean and the freshwater lake of Lough Currane, the traditional and charming market town of Cahersiveen with its old-style shop fronts and Valentia Island from where you can experience unforgettable views from the top of Geokaun mountain. This driving tour will take you approximately three hours and for those that need a break from driving, we offer a bus tour through this area also. As a substitute to the Ring of Kerry, you may prefer to take advantage of the pony and trap tour that takes you through the Black Valley in the Gap of Dunloe. After a bite to eat at Lord Brandon’s Cottage, you will return to Killarney by boat on the calm picturesque Lakes of the region.

Day 4: Killarney to Doolin

One of your lengthier days of the tour but also your most dramatic takes you from Killarney to the west coast of County Clare. Your first stop will be the Village of Adare in County Limerick. Adare has long been regarded by all who visit to be one of Ireland’s prettiest villages. This tiny but highly cultural town is home to charming thatched cottages, a pretty Public Park, and ancient churches. Shortly after this, you arrive at Bunratty Castle. Built in 1425, this eye-widening castle was fully restored in 1954 to its former medieval glory. Inside the grounds of the castle, guests can experience the ways of 19th-century life, which has been recreated through a series of reconstructed traditional Irish buildings in the folk park. Take in the culture and history of Ireland as you journey between cottages and the delightful village complete with a post office, printers, doctors house, school, hardware shop, and of course in keeping with the tour, the local pub where you can indulge in a pint of Guinness or an Irish Coffee! A short drive away, you have the opportunity to visit the Cliffs of Moher, arguably Ireland's most spectacular attraction. The mesmerizing views over the Atlantic are sure to stay with you.  Just north of the Cliffs, you can then visit the Burren region, a vast network of limestone pavement that can only be described as otherworldly to those previously unacquainted with it and the ancient Poulnabrone Dolmen Tombs.  The next stop is “the music capital of Ireland” as it is often called. The village of Doolin. With a great many pubs and restaurants to enjoy, in recent years Doolin has developed something of a reputation for attracting considerable crowds to spontaneous music sessions!

Day 5: Doolin to Dublin

Today’s journey will take you through to Dublin via Clonmacnoise. Clonmacnoise is an early Christian site that was founded in the 6th century by saint Ciaran on the banks of the River Shannon and consists of the remnants of eight churches, a number of Christian high crosses, two round towers, a cathedral and a large collection of early Christian gravestones. From here, you have the option to travel either straight to Dublin or take a slight detour to the ancient and stunning passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth. One of the greatest wonders of the world, Newgrange was built before the Pyramids of Egypt and is the most notable and well-preserved passage-tomb in Europe. Dublin offers many interesting attractions for guests and all are sure to find something to pique their interest. The City has many walking tours which visit all manner of attractions that you might like to participate in including a “Literary Pub Crawl” which uniquely celebrates Irish literature by visiting the pubs and local haunts of Ireland’s famous literary figures or the “Historical Walking Tour” upon which participants can learn a thing or two about Dublin’s fascinating past. You also have the option of course in your own time to visit these attractions separately either on foot or with the help of the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus service that stops at all of the major attractions including Dublin Castle, Christchurch Cathedral, the National Museum of Ireland, The Guinness Storehouse, Trinity Castle & the Book of Kells and Kilmainham Gaol to name just a few. In the evening Dublin City comes alive with a wide variety of entertainment options to suit everyone’s needs. You will have the opportunity to experience the very best of Irish nightlife including; ‘The Abbey Tavern’, ‘The Merry Ploughboy’ or the more intimate ‘Irish House Party’ where the combination of good food, various styles of traditional Irish music and the opportunity to hop up and dance will make for a night that won’t soon be forgotten.

Day 6: While in Dublin

On your final day of the tour, you can continue your sightseeing in Dublin visiting the many historical and modern attractions on offer in this cosmopolitan city. The range of attractions left to visit includes Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, which features a spectacular choir complete with banners and stalls decorated with the insignia of the Knights of St. Patrick and for those interested in literature the city is home to the James Joyce Centre. This well-restored Georgian townhouse contains a museum dedicated to this famous writer & poet detailing his life and works. The Dublin Writers Museum, which contains exhibits relating to all Irish literature from 300 years ago to the present day, gives visitors a glimpse into Ireland's recent past through the words of those who lived it.  The option is also there, of course, to take time out to shop in bustling Grafton Street or any one of the quaint streets that the café strewn city centre has to offer. This evening you might like to spend some time in the Temple Bar area, possibly the most famous cultural district in Ireland. This unique area plays host to an impressive choice of cafes, restaurants, pubs, and shops to suit all ages, pockets and tastes and all within easy walking distance of Temple Bar's many galleries and cultural centres. At night the area comes to life, with many restaurants, nightclubs, and bars opening their doors. Notable pubs we recommend paying a visit to in the area include The Porterhouse, Farrington’s Pub, the Temple Bar Pub, and the Quays Bar.

Day 7: Homeward Bound

Although it’s sad to say, this morning it is time to leave for the airport unless of course, you have decided you’re not quite ready to leave our little Emerald Isle quite yet and have planned post-night stays in Belfast or Dublin.